[The prevalence of serological markers for the human immunodeficiency virus and the hepatitis B virus in a psychiatric hospital].
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and antibodies to delta virus (anti-DV).


METHODS
Cross-sectional (prevalence) study. A non-proportional (stratified by length of stay) random sample of 20% of admitted patients was selected.


METHODS
The Hospital Psiquiátrico Nuestra Señora de Montserrat (Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain) admits about 670 patients in its short-term, rehabilitation (mid-term) and long-term wards.


METHODS
139 patients were selected: 91% were males, mean age was 55 years, and 10% belonged to an HIV risk group; mean length of hospitalization since last discharge was 13 years.


METHODS
Blood samples were drawn in October, 1988. Anti-HBc, HBsAg and anti-DV were determined by competitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Anti-HIV-1 were determined by sandwich EIA; negativity of results with high absorbency but below the cut-off point was confirmed by Western blot.


RESULTS
None of the sampled patients had circulating anti-HIV-1 antibodies. Four cases showing high absorbency (below the "cut-off" point) were ruled out by Western-blot. Overall, the prevalence of anti-HBc was 52.8% (54.4% in long-term wards, 35.0% in mid-term wards, and 13.8% in short-term wards). The prevalence of HBsAg was 2.3%, of anti-DV 1.5%, and of HDAg 0%.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of anti-HIV is null in the studied institution. Current efforts to prevent HIV infection must continue; a hepatitis B vaccination program is highly warranted among patients and professionals of the studied hospital.
Prats
F
F
Servicio de Bioquímica e Inmunología, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona.
Porta Serra
M
M
Yazbeck
H
H
Herrera
R
R
Gassó
J M
JM
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D003698:Hepatitis Delta Virus / Q000276:immunology; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
D015415:Biomarkers; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
Prevalencia de marcadores serológicos para el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana y el virus de la hepatitis B en un hospital psiquiátrico.